Belconnen’s new learn to ride centre opens this weekend

The new Belconnen learn to ride centre will open this weekend for young cyclists to practice their skills and learn about road safety.

Minister for Road Safety Shane Rattenbury said Belconnen would be a popular site for families like the new Tuggeranong learn to ride centre at Greenway Park.

“It’s important we teach our children the fundamentals of safe riding in an environment that, as far as possible, mirrors real riding conditions,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“The Belconnen learn to ride centre has the same look and feel as the learn to ride centre in Canberra’s south ­– with a road and pedestrian crossings built around footpaths.”

Minister Meegan Fitzharris, as both Health and Wellbeing and Transport and City Services Minister, expects the learn to ride centre to support other programs and encourage more children to use active travel to and from school, particularly in the Belconnen region.

“Active Streets was piloted at four Belconnen primary schools in 2015-16 to see what infrastructure changes help to improve safety and encourage greater participation rates in active travel,” Ms Fitzharris said.

“The learn to ride facility will build on the work already being delivered in the region around schools to ensure children are well equipped to stay safe on and around our roads when riding a bike. It also strongly supports our preventive health efforts to encourage a health lifestyle in our city.

The Belconnen Learn to Ride Centre will eventually link with the $4.7 million Belconnen bike track, making it easier for parents to teach their kids to ride safely from right across Canberra’s northern suburbs.

The ACT Road Safety Action Plan 2016-20 included an action item to build the Tuggeranong and North Canberra facilities to improve road safety for vulnerable road users.

“The ACT has a strong cycling culture and we all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all our road users,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“I hope many schools and community groups in the area will make use of this fantastic facility which features a range of useful road safety tips for children to follow when riding and walking.

“Facilities such as these learn to ride centres are a practical way to educate cyclists at an early age while promoting the health and environmental benefits of active travel.”